June 20th 2010
OK,
can someone help me with the meaning behind my recurring dream. I frequently
dream that I am driving a double decker bus. No problem here one might think
but I am always driving it from upstairs and always worried about two things.
One I cannot reach the brake pedal and two, I cannot see what is immediately in
front of me. I have had this dream with a lot of variations for years and I had
the same dream last night. All theories would be gratefully received.
An hour's birdwatching from 6.30 am with Marsh Harrier and Bearded Tits seen.
So, to the morning moth breakfast on Sunday the 20th of June. All previous
night's moths were neatly arranged in plastic containers on the table of the
education room, ready for everyone’s perusal. People arrived and I sat chatting
and photographing each species. One thing I liked is that with birds I would be
thinking that a Golden Eagle is a better bird to see than a Blue Tit. Both
lovely birds but one has the wow factor and it is not the Blue Tit. With the
moths I had no idea on their relative 'values' and enjoyed each. I knew quite a
few from when I had my own trap but quite a few were new to me. Forty species
photographed and then outside for the opening of a trap that had been left on
all night. More new species and the fun of release.
Off
to explore the reserve. First to the Eric Morecambe hide but no birds because
no water. Lunar landscape of a totally dry scrape with only sheep tracks
crossing the mud. Then to Wharton Crag RSPB reserve with peregrine chicks
attended by the female on the cliffs of the quarry and the male some way to the
left. Up the crag and soon saw small pearl bordered and high brown fritillaries
and northern brown argus butterflies seen.
Back to the reserve at Leighton and off with Dagmar, Ruth and 'oh dear
I've forgotten her name' to see the fly orchids nearby. A new orchid for me so
chuffed to bits and afterwards explored the quarry face by climbing around the
edge to get to the top.
Late evening 9.15 onwards spent birdwatching for a
change. Marsh harriers, little egrets and a great-crested grebe with a chick. 4
red deer at the Grizedale hide.
Still time for bat detecting before bed. Pipistrelles heard, sounding like
"a massage from the Swedish Prime Minister!"
Summary . . .
Sixty three bird species seen over my time there. I also added, thanks to two volunteer girls there, three new orchids for my British list. I saw eighty moth species, thanks to the Moth Breakfast event that the RSPB organised.
There were plenty of Red Deer, twelve butterfly species, including High Brown and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries.
Such a superb place with superb people, Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve has always been one of top five favourite RSPB reserves and will always remain so after the indelible memories the place and people have left me with.
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